Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Friedrich Bonnke. Oberleutnant Friedrich Bonnke (04.02.1915 in Stolp † 09.12.2001 in Wesel) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzeson December 6, 1944 as Oberleutnant und Chef of the 3. Batterie/ Flak-Regiment 42.
“Oberleutnant Bonnke and his Batterie (3./Flak-Rgt. 42) were positioned in the area south of Riche (12 km NE of Chateau Salins) on the 11.11.1944. Although the Batterie was stationed totally alone here, it was able to smash a massive enemy tank/infantry attack that was slicing into an extant frontline gap. Such a feat was made possible via a combination of skillful positioning as well as the exceptional bravery of the Batterie commander. His actions here decisively halted the enemy breakthrough attempt, and 12 tanks and 11 halftracks were destroyed in the process. A further 15 halftracks were immobilized, with their infantry being forced to dismount and consequently be destroyed. Oberleutnant Bonnke thus achieved a decisive battlefield success that prevented the rolling up of the new friendly frontline (which was still in the process of destruction).”
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
